Wednesday, November 19, 2008

I got several emails asking me about the hat I wore at the Victorian Tea Society this past weekend.

So, I thought I would give you a better picture to show you what it looked like up close.

I loved this hat. The only problem was it's not mine. I borrowed it from one of the other ladies in the group.

I'm now on the look out for a hat that I can afford. Or at least one I can make. I figure I can hot glue with the best of them. So all I really need is to find a hat that I can work with.

There are some beautiful hats out there but they cost a lot of money. I don't have a lot of money so I can't just buy one.

We will be learning how to make hats in our group but that won't be until March of 2009. I can't wait that long.

So I thought if I could find a hat with a wide brim I could just hot glue material, flowers and feathers to it make my own.

The hats were so pretty back 200 years ago. I wish we still wore hats today.

I love the big feathers and flowers and lace hats are made of.

I don't think a lot of the flowers today look like they did back in the Victorian era. So I would love to be able to find some vintage flowers. I don't think I will because I think they cost a lot of money too. Again, that lets me out.

So, I may stick more to the feathers and lace. Even though using flowers from today would still be a pretty hat. It just wouldn't be authentic looking.

I really want to one day have several costumes and a hat to go with each one.

Speaking of costumes, several of you wanted to know where I got my costume. The answer is the the thrift store.

Not all at once. I first got the skirt. It's just a normal long, brown velvet skirt. I got a black blouse. I got one that was way to big as they wore loose blouses with big sleeves back then. Of course the cuffs were way to big. So, I moved the buttons over to tighten up the cuffs. This made the sleeves look puffy and the cuffs still tight.

Then, I tacked down the collar as they didn't have the type we have now. I added a brooch that my sister gave me. It was a cute Cameo. Perfect for the time.

Last I found some shoes that looked to be from the era. These were a great thrift store find as you don't find them very often.

To this I added a shawl, a wig and the hat, all borrowed from the same lady. Oh yes, I also used one of her little purses too.

I think it all came together pretty good.

I love the color of this hat. Don't you? So feminine looking.

Have you ever made a hat? If so, do you have any tips to share with me.

9 comments:

Joanne, I love the new look, sweetpea!! Yessss, I do. I remember the days when women wouldn't be caught dead without a hat on, especially in church. I truly don't miss those days but they certainly were elegant looking.Smooches,Connie

Hi Joanne,I love those hats...so pretty! I love wearing hats. I think men like to see women in hats, too. I know I wish men still wore fedoras like in the forties. It's sort of romantic. They should wear the suits, too. I love the thirties and forties.

Hi Joanne, I love the hats! They remind me of when we had to wesr hats to church. They were not as elaborate as the ones you showed. I made one when I was about 16 yrs old. I used an old hat as the base. I covered it with black wool felt fabric. I put a wide band of greyish fake fur around it for the decoration. I gathered and folded it the long way and put it around the crown. It came out good enough to wear for the winter. Even my Mom didn't know that I "made" it. She wanted to know where I got it. I'm sure you can do it!

Hi Joanne!I love all the hats you've shown! They are so gorgeous including the hat you borrowed. I've always wanted to learn the art of millinery but never ever have seen a class for hat making. That would be so fun! And you have always been a "star" in my book even before I knew you had a star!! Big hugs, Sherry

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